For a while now I've been wanting to start a book review blog, as reviewing them on here has never really seemed to fit in. And finally I've done it! I've decided to stick with books I'm passionate about, so I'll be blogging young adult/teen fiction reviews as they're the books I adore. You can follow that blog over at http://totalteenfiction.blogspot.com/ :) If you love reading and are looking for more YA novels to read then have a look and see if any of the reviews and recommendations take your fancy! I'll be doing weekly book round-ups and news on YA fiction, too.
I haven't abandoned this blog though, don't worry! This is still a place for personal posts and M.E Awareness :) but I wanted to keep all my book posts in one place.
You can follow my new blog on Twitter, too, yay! http://twitter.com/totalteenfic
Until next time,
Sarah x
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Saturday, 12 May 2012
M.E Awareness Day 2012
Today is M.E Awareness Day! As M.E Awareness Week draws to a close I wanted to do one last post to try and get my message out there. I haven't been able to blog as much as I would have liked (due to my health) but I want to thank every single person who is following the blog, who has read my article and shared my poem, and who has been retweeting my messages on Twitter :) you guys are awesome!
For those of you that don't know my M.E story I'll share a brief history of it now. I became ill in 2005, just after starting year 10, when I came down with glandular fever. I was off school from September until January, when I finally managed to go back part time. It was obvious I wasn't right, though. I would come home exhausted and struggle through my lessons, and although I'd improved I seemed to be stalling. I also kept coming down with bugs that would knock me back. I was referred to the hospital and eventually diagnosed with M.E in around May 2006. I missed all of year 11 after becoming too ill to even attend school, and was home tutored throughout this period. I spent months unable to leave the house. In 2007 I started 6th form, a huge milestone for me after a year out of school, just doing the one subject. I'd managed to gain 5 GCSEs with the help of my home tutor, and by taking my exams either at home or in isolation at school so I could have rest breaks. 6th form went well until Easter 2008 when I suffered a huge relapse.
This was one of the darkest times of my illness. I became completely confined to bed and ended up so weak I couldn't walk unaided. I was struck by light sensitivity, something I'd experienced at the beginning of my illness, which meant I spent all day with the curtains drawn shut. I suffered pain in my muscles and joints that was agonising, and it would be over a year before I left my house again, and even then it was a small trip out into my garden.
I'm in a fairly "good" period now, in that I can walk for short distances and leave my house, and I'm able to see friends and do volunteer work. But I still have a long way to go. There is no cure for M.E, and still so little research happening that it may be a very long time before we see anything like that, but I have to remain positive and hopeful that I will recover. I'd go insane otherwise!
M.E Awareness Week is a chance to wake the world up to the reality of living with this extremely debilitating illness, but it's hard work. The media and general public are so oblivious to our suffering that it is left to the sufferers and charities to get the word out there. The people out there raising awareness are doing so whilst battling crippling fatigue, headaches, nausea, cognitive problems, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, sore throats - the list goes on. YOU can help us, by raising awareness. If you hadn't heard of M.E before this week then please share your new found knowledge with somebody else. Look into the work of M.E charities and make a donation - anything you can spare. Display your awareness ribbon with pride!
http://www.ayme.org.uk/
http://www.actionforme.org.uk/
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/
http://www.investinme.org/
Well done to everyone involved in this year's efforts, you've been amazing! And raising awareness of M.E isn't just something I do in MEAW. I try and do it all year round, so keep an eye on my blog for more posts throughout the year :)
Until next time,
Sarah x
Thursday, 10 May 2012
M.E Awareness Week - The York Flyer
For the past couple of years I've spoken to my local paper as part of M.E Awareness Week. This year I haven't quite had the time and energy, but I did manage to write and submit a piece to our local community magazine - The York Flyer. You can read my piece online at the following link or, if you live in York, in May's issue which is available now.
http://www.theyorkflyer.co.uk/latest.html (the piece is a few pages in)
I just wanted to say thanks for all the support and sharing of my poem from my last post! I got such a lovely response and some really nice comments, and thanks to the power of the internet it's gone all over the world. It means an awful lot, and hopefully it's had an impact and raised some awareness! A big well done to everyone blogging and tweeting for MEAW - I know it can be so tough to find the energy to do it all when you're ill, so it's so great to see so many people getting involved.
Hopefully I'll be able to blog again before the week is out!
Until next time,
Sarah x
http://www.theyorkflyer.co.uk/latest.html (the piece is a few pages in)
I just wanted to say thanks for all the support and sharing of my poem from my last post! I got such a lovely response and some really nice comments, and thanks to the power of the internet it's gone all over the world. It means an awful lot, and hopefully it's had an impact and raised some awareness! A big well done to everyone blogging and tweeting for MEAW - I know it can be so tough to find the energy to do it all when you're ill, so it's so great to see so many people getting involved.
Hopefully I'll be able to blog again before the week is out!
Until next time,
Sarah x
Monday, 7 May 2012
M.E - A Poem
To mark M.E Awareness Week 2012 I have written this poem as an expression of the emotions felt whilst suffering with M.E, based upon my own experiences. Please take a look and share with others if you can. Thank you!
M.E
Virus, not well, mild frustration,
Missing out my education,
Visit GP, desperation,
Blood tests, waiting, agitation,
Still so sick, a bad sensation,
Return to GP, preparation,
Bloods clear, now what? Anticipation,
Hospital the new location,
See consultant, evaluation,
“You have M.E”, a revelation,
Explains the illness, grabs attention,
I’m not alone, a celebration
List of symptoms, expectation,
“No cure yet though”, hope deflation,
Just more waiting, stirs emotion,
Wiped out, pain, poor concentration,
Sickness, joint pain, bad digestion,
Fatigue, weak muscles, debilitation,
Insomnia, sleep deprivation,
Bedbound, housebound, isolation,
For some comes hospitalisation,
Have to stay strong for duration,
Where’s the help, consideration?
Benefits battle, messed up nation,
Struggle through the registration,
Misunderstood by population,
Media writes words of fiction,
“M.E not real” a fabrication,
Still I fight, no liberation,
Too ill to learn, no graduation,
No job at all, no work promotion,
Charities help, make a donation,
Volunteers at their station,
To help with my incarceration,
Recovery the destination,
For now in my imagination.
M.E often (but not always) develops after a virus, as was the case with me when I came down with glandular fever which developed into M.E. Diagnosis is initially a relief, after being ill for so many months not knowing just what is wrong with you. But then comes the realisation that there is no cure for M.E. It is an emotional rollercoaster that lasts for years.
M.E Awareness Week - 6th-12th May 2012.
Sarah x
Sunday, 6 May 2012
M.E Awareness Week 2012
M.E affects around 250,000 people in the UK and currently has no known cause or cure. Symptoms incluse post-exertional malaise/extreme fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, joint pain, cognitive problems such as poor memory and concentration, nausea, headaches, sleep disturbance, sore throats, digestive problems and many more.
I hope to put up a few posts throughout the course of the week to help spread awareness, but I admit MEAW has come at a tough time for me. I'm currently undergoing orthodontic treatment and will be having braces fitted this week (something I was meant to have done years ago but which has been delayed for years because of my health) and so my energy this week will be spent surviving that. I haven't managed to speak to my local paper this year which is a shame, but I have written a short piece for a community magazine which I will try and share once I have a copy to hand.
And I'll be taking to Twitter of course! Follow me @ThatSizGirl to see those updates.
In the mean time, please visit the following websites to find out more about M.E.
http://www.ayme.org.uk/
http://www.actionforme.org.uk/
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/
Thank you.
Until next time!
Sarah x
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
25 Questions
I borrowed this quiz from my friend Molly who posted it on her blog, and thought it'd be nice to do it myself!
1: Do you have any pets? No, sadly. I love cats and dogs, though, especially westie dogs! Having a westie one day is an ambition of mine :)
2: Name three things that are physically close to you: Pink blanket, mirror, window.
3: What's the weather like right now? HORRIBLE. It's raining. It was hailing earlier.
4: Do you drive? If so, have you crashed? I don't drive, haven't learnt yet. When my health improves, maybe!
5: What time did you wake up this morning? About 10am.
6: When was the last time you showered? Years ago. That's because I take baths, not because I'm gross ;) I used to shower with a shower seat because I can't stand in the shower, but I prefer baths now.
7: What was the last movie that you saw? Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this afternoon. Brilliant film! Hilarious - I recommend it :)
8: What does you last text message say? Something about how amazing Graze boxes are. My friend and I recently signed up for free ones and she got hers today.
9: What is your ringtone? Some generic Sony Ericsson one that came with my phone.
10: Have you ever been to a different country? I've been to France and the Turks and Caicos islands. Both in 2005, before I got ill.
11: Do you like sushi? I've never tried it, but I can't say it appeals!
12: Where do you buy your groceries? Morrisons or the co-op.
13: Have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster? Yes, I'm currently on amitriptyline. Sleep disturbance is one of my main M.E symptoms and taking ami allows me to get a decent amount of sleep, although even on ami I have phases of really bad sleep.
14: How many siblings do you have? 2. I'm the eldest.
15: Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop? I have my own laptop, but we have a PC in the house. I use both but mainly my laptop as I can use it in bed/in my room.
16: How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 22, which makes me feel old!
17: Do you wear contacts or glasses? I wear glasses and have done since I was about 13, only occasionally at first but now I'm dependant on them.
18: Do you colour your hair? Nope. I have done in the past, though. I went blond for a bit when I was 17 (it wasn't a total success).
19: Tell me something you are planing to do today? Watch The Apprentice!
20: When was the last time you cried? I honestly can't remember, is that bad? I have sensitive eyes, though, so I can tell you the last time my eyes stung and watered. It was at the bus stop earlier ;)
21: What is your perfect pizza topping? Cheese and tomato or ham and pineapple.
22: Which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger? Neither, I'd rather have a chicken burger.
23: Have you ever had an all-nighter? I once tried to stay up all night before I had to catch a flight early in the morning. I ended up falling asleep on a kitchen floor. These days sleep takes priority.
24: What is your eye colour? Brown.
25: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke? I might have been able to at some point in my lifetime but I don't drink either of these now - I steer clear of heavily drinks with lots of caffiene in.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Sarah x
1: Do you have any pets? No, sadly. I love cats and dogs, though, especially westie dogs! Having a westie one day is an ambition of mine :)
2: Name three things that are physically close to you: Pink blanket, mirror, window.
3: What's the weather like right now? HORRIBLE. It's raining. It was hailing earlier.
4: Do you drive? If so, have you crashed? I don't drive, haven't learnt yet. When my health improves, maybe!
5: What time did you wake up this morning? About 10am.
6: When was the last time you showered? Years ago. That's because I take baths, not because I'm gross ;) I used to shower with a shower seat because I can't stand in the shower, but I prefer baths now.
7: What was the last movie that you saw? Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this afternoon. Brilliant film! Hilarious - I recommend it :)
8: What does you last text message say? Something about how amazing Graze boxes are. My friend and I recently signed up for free ones and she got hers today.
9: What is your ringtone? Some generic Sony Ericsson one that came with my phone.
10: Have you ever been to a different country? I've been to France and the Turks and Caicos islands. Both in 2005, before I got ill.
11: Do you like sushi? I've never tried it, but I can't say it appeals!
12: Where do you buy your groceries? Morrisons or the co-op.
13: Have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster? Yes, I'm currently on amitriptyline. Sleep disturbance is one of my main M.E symptoms and taking ami allows me to get a decent amount of sleep, although even on ami I have phases of really bad sleep.
14: How many siblings do you have? 2. I'm the eldest.
15: Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop? I have my own laptop, but we have a PC in the house. I use both but mainly my laptop as I can use it in bed/in my room.
16: How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 22, which makes me feel old!
17: Do you wear contacts or glasses? I wear glasses and have done since I was about 13, only occasionally at first but now I'm dependant on them.
18: Do you colour your hair? Nope. I have done in the past, though. I went blond for a bit when I was 17 (it wasn't a total success).
19: Tell me something you are planing to do today? Watch The Apprentice!
20: When was the last time you cried? I honestly can't remember, is that bad? I have sensitive eyes, though, so I can tell you the last time my eyes stung and watered. It was at the bus stop earlier ;)
21: What is your perfect pizza topping? Cheese and tomato or ham and pineapple.
22: Which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger? Neither, I'd rather have a chicken burger.
23: Have you ever had an all-nighter? I once tried to stay up all night before I had to catch a flight early in the morning. I ended up falling asleep on a kitchen floor. These days sleep takes priority.
24: What is your eye colour? Brown.
25: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke? I might have been able to at some point in my lifetime but I don't drink either of these now - I steer clear of heavily drinks with lots of caffiene in.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Sarah x
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Once Upon a Time...
In my last blog post I talked about TV - specifically The Voice UK - and how recently I'd fallen out of love with television. First of all, I'm still keeping up with The Voice, despite its flaws, and have grown to love certain aspects of the show (no rubbish auditions, Jessie J) but I still have a few problems with the format, all of which are mentioned in the previous post and which I don't need to go over!
So in my opinion, TV hasn't been great lately, but over the past few weeks I've started to see change on the horizon, the light at the end of the tunnel if you will! It's very rare I find a new TV series I stick with. I'll admit this is mostly due to me missing the start of a series and just never bothering to catch up (I like an early night, shows that start at 10pm take an awful lot of effort for me to watch, a genuine excuse!) and so these days I try and make the effort to catch the first episodes of shows when they air. So far Glee is the only success story from this plan, the only show I've watched that I've been there from the beginning, but last week I added Once Upon a Time to this list.
Thanks to the Internet, I'd heard a lot about this show, mainly through fansites/entertainment sites such as Digital Spy and Hypable, as well as through Twitter (I follow a lot of Americans!). It seemed to be getting good reviews, and the lead star, Jennifer Morrison, drew me in as I was a huge fan of her whilst she was in House. So, what was Once Upon a Time all about? Even through reading bits and bobs about it online, I wasn't entirely sure. It had something to do with fairy tales - I'd figured that much out, the title pretty much gives it away! - but I didn't know much about the story, and I didn't want to know.
Any fan of American shows who lives in the UK knows the lengths you have to go to to avoid spoilers (if you're like me and actually wait for the shows to debut on British TV, rather than seek them out elsewhere) and so I decided to wait for it to appear on my telly, and avoid all spoiler-ish news posts about the show itself. Eventually, a month or so ago, trailers started appearing on Channel 5, and it was reported that the show would debut in Spring. And here it is! Episode 2 aired this past Sunday, and I've managed to see both episodes as they went out - an I achievement, given my feeble record with these things.
The show grabbed me straight away. We follow two stories, present day Emma Swan, working as a private detective, who is surprised when a young boy shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her son. Alongside this, we see the story of the past, the fairytale characters who were forced to leave their world thanks to a dark witch's curse, exiled to a present day American town with no knowledge of the fairytale characters they once were. Keeping up? Holding the story together is Henry (the young boy on the doorstep), a super sweet little kid obsessed with a fairytale book he received from his teacher. His fascination with the book? The story is real, and he's the only one who knows it. As the story goes on, we see Henry try to convince Emma that the people he's introducing her to are real fairytale characters. Understandably she sceptical. It really is a great story, and wonderful for those who love fairy tales (Snow White and Prince Charming, Rumplestiltskin, Sleeping Beauty all appearing or mentioned) and for those who love a great modern day, American drama. The flashbacks to the fairytale parts of the plot are visually stunning, making the whole thing feel even more magical.
How long this show will stay on terrestrial television is anyone's guess - it wouldn't surprise me if it turned up on Sky a series or two down the line (House, Glee) but I hope the wider audience gets a chance to see it whilst they can, it's unmissable. Once Upon a Time is on Channel 5, Sunday, 8pm.
Until next time,
Sarah x
So in my opinion, TV hasn't been great lately, but over the past few weeks I've started to see change on the horizon, the light at the end of the tunnel if you will! It's very rare I find a new TV series I stick with. I'll admit this is mostly due to me missing the start of a series and just never bothering to catch up (I like an early night, shows that start at 10pm take an awful lot of effort for me to watch, a genuine excuse!) and so these days I try and make the effort to catch the first episodes of shows when they air. So far Glee is the only success story from this plan, the only show I've watched that I've been there from the beginning, but last week I added Once Upon a Time to this list.
Thanks to the Internet, I'd heard a lot about this show, mainly through fansites/entertainment sites such as Digital Spy and Hypable, as well as through Twitter (I follow a lot of Americans!). It seemed to be getting good reviews, and the lead star, Jennifer Morrison, drew me in as I was a huge fan of her whilst she was in House. So, what was Once Upon a Time all about? Even through reading bits and bobs about it online, I wasn't entirely sure. It had something to do with fairy tales - I'd figured that much out, the title pretty much gives it away! - but I didn't know much about the story, and I didn't want to know.
Any fan of American shows who lives in the UK knows the lengths you have to go to to avoid spoilers (if you're like me and actually wait for the shows to debut on British TV, rather than seek them out elsewhere) and so I decided to wait for it to appear on my telly, and avoid all spoiler-ish news posts about the show itself. Eventually, a month or so ago, trailers started appearing on Channel 5, and it was reported that the show would debut in Spring. And here it is! Episode 2 aired this past Sunday, and I've managed to see both episodes as they went out - an I achievement, given my feeble record with these things.
The show grabbed me straight away. We follow two stories, present day Emma Swan, working as a private detective, who is surprised when a young boy shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her son. Alongside this, we see the story of the past, the fairytale characters who were forced to leave their world thanks to a dark witch's curse, exiled to a present day American town with no knowledge of the fairytale characters they once were. Keeping up? Holding the story together is Henry (the young boy on the doorstep), a super sweet little kid obsessed with a fairytale book he received from his teacher. His fascination with the book? The story is real, and he's the only one who knows it. As the story goes on, we see Henry try to convince Emma that the people he's introducing her to are real fairytale characters. Understandably she sceptical. It really is a great story, and wonderful for those who love fairy tales (Snow White and Prince Charming, Rumplestiltskin, Sleeping Beauty all appearing or mentioned) and for those who love a great modern day, American drama. The flashbacks to the fairytale parts of the plot are visually stunning, making the whole thing feel even more magical.
How long this show will stay on terrestrial television is anyone's guess - it wouldn't surprise me if it turned up on Sky a series or two down the line (House, Glee) but I hope the wider audience gets a chance to see it whilst they can, it's unmissable. Once Upon a Time is on Channel 5, Sunday, 8pm.
Until next time,
Sarah x
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